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OC Swears In New Police Chief; Buzzuro” ‘So Very, Very Proud’

OCEAN CITY – It was standing room only on Monday evening at City Hall’s Mayor and Council chambers as members of the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) and the public arrived to welcome Ocean City’s new Police Chief Ross Buzzuro.

Mayor Rick Meehan took the floor looking back to January of this year when Ocean City’s chief of police position became vacant when 25‐year Town of Ocean City employee, Chief Bernadette DiPino, left to take a position in Sarasota, Fla.

It was at that time City Manager David Recor suggested for OCPD’s three police captains take on the role of acting police chief, rotating in 45-day intervals until the position was permanently filled.

“I want to tell you, and I think the people in this room know that Capt. Guiton, Capt. Kirstein and Capt. Colbert raised the bar in our department and did an absolutely tremendous job. The department never skipped a beat, and I can tell you they excelled and rose to every occasion to meet all challenges. We saw a command staff that truly worked together, worked together with all the officers and the members of the department, and that clearly sets the tone for the future of Ocean City,” the mayor said, as the room erupted into a standing applause.

Meehan furthered, after conducting a national search the Town of Ocean City received approximately 80 qualified applicants to fill the chief of police position. The chief of police is responsible for overseeing the department, which consists of nearly 100 full-time officers, 100 seasonal officers and approximately 20 civilian employees.

“We are very proud to be here tonight to introduce to you and to swear in the chief that was selected as a result of that process,” said, as he introduced Buzzuro.

Buzzuro began his career in law enforcement in 1985, as a police cadet in Baltimore City. He worked his way through the ranks, serving as a sergeant, detective lieutenant, deputy major, major and eventually being named lieutenant colonel in 2007.

A graduate from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy and the University of Maryland’s Fire & Rescue Institute, Buzzuro has been a commander within the Baltimore City’s Special Enforcement Section, Patrol Division, Criminal Investigation Division, and Internal Investigations Division. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Management from John Hopkins University.

“We also believe that it is Chief Buzzuro’s knowledge, experience and leadership that stood out. I believe we have the best police department anywhere in the state and I believe we now add one more piece to the police department to make it even better. Our police department has a bright future, we have gone through some difficult times but we are ready to move forward,” the mayor said, as he administered the Oath of Office.

Buzzoro thanked the Mayor and City Council for giving him the opportunity to serve and to lead the men and women, both sworn and civilian, of the OCPD.

“Our profession is a noble profession, and we are the protectors, and serve the people from whom we derive our authority, and I have to say over the last couple days I have been with the members of the Ocean City Police Department and they welcomed me with open arms,” Buzzuro said. “The camaraderie is second to none, and I am just so very, very proud to be part of the organization. In closing, I pledge to serve the town of Ocean City with dignity and honor. Always giving my best and I want to assure that all, whether you are citizen, resident or visitor, that you have the opportunity to live your lives with nothing but enjoyment and peace.”

I pleased to see such educated and qualified candidate be selected as the new Police Chief. It is very comforting to know that Ocean City is being protected under the watchful eye of an accomplished leader. Having very impressive credentials, which clearly speaks volumes to the Police Department, as well as OC residents and tourists. Education is often misunderstood; the fact is education represents, perseverance, dedication, and commitment, and formal education is a conscious effort by human society to impart the skills and modes of thought considered essential for social functioning. Ocean Cityâ€™s new police chief holds both a Bachelors and Masters degree in Management from Johns Hopkins University, and is a graduate from the Federal Bureau of Investigationâ€™s National Academy and the University of Marylandâ€™s Fire & Rescue, working his way through the ranks. But, itâ€™s the education piece that stands out and makes me proud of the Ocean City Mayor, City Council, and City Manager that they care enough to seek out the most educated and qualified contender for the position. That said, I canâ€™t help but wonder why the same standards arenâ€™t held for the Fire Chief? Public safety is public safety, so why should it be any different for the Fire Chief, who does not hold any advanced degrees. Shouldnâ€™t Ocean City be under the equal leadership standards? Shouldnâ€™t Ocean City raise the bar across the board? Why should our Fire Department be any different? All I want to know, is how can our city officials support a Fire Chief that is nowhere near qualified as our new Police Chief?